Join me tonight for a slice or two of complimentary pizza and a generous helping of democracy as I launch the 2013-14 Participatory Budgeting process with the first of seven “Neighborhood Assemblies.”

Tonight’s assembly(Tuesday, October 1st) will take place at Sullivan High School, 6631 N. Bosworth. Free pizza courtesy of JB Alberto’s will be provided at 6:30 p.m. and the assembly will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.

As you know, I’m giving the 49th Ward residents the power to decide directly how to spend $1 million of the ward’s “menu money”–discretionary funds I receive annually for infrastructure improvements in the 49th Ward. TheNeighborhood Assemblies will provide a review of this year’s process and an explanation of the type of projects that are eligible for funding. You’ll also get to see some new short videos on participatory budgeting, including an updated video of the 49th Ward’s experience with PB.

You will then have an opportunity to weigh in with your thoughts on specific infrastructure projects you would like to see completed in the ward.

The next assembly will take tomorrow (Wednesday, October 2nd) at the United Church of Rogers Park, 1545 W. Morse (at Ashland) 3rd floor. Once again, pizza will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at7:00 p.m.

Each assembly will be identical in content, so you need attend only one of the assemblies. If neither assembly date this week is convenient for you, six other assemblies will be held this month, including a Spanish-language assembly.

Pick the day and location that is most convenient for you and bring your appetite. Free pizza courtesy of JB Alberto’s will be provided at every Neighborhood Assembly beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the meetings will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.

For the second year in a row, I’ll be operating the 49th Ward’s participatory budgeting initiative under the new49th Ward map. Tonight’s neighborhood assembly location at Sullivan High School was selected to make it easy for my new constituents to attend the meeting and become involved in the process.

For more detailed information on how Participatory Budgeting works in the 49th Ward, including the participatory budgeting election results and updates on the implementation of the winning projects, visit the Participatory Budgeting page of my website:

The 49th Ward’s Participatory Budgeting process has received national recognition. NPR’s Weekend Edition is just the latest to feature “PB49.” To listen to the six and one-half minute report and read the accompanying story, visit:

New 49th Ward Map

Below is a copy of the new 49th Ward map (courtesy of community activist, Kyle Hillman). The red lines represent the current boundaries. The shaded peach area with the green border represents the new boundaries.